The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, ordered the immediate remand of human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

Sowore will remain in custody until Wednesday, June 24, 2026, when legal proceedings are scheduled to resume.

The detention stems from a two-count cybercrime charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), which accuses Sowore of cyberstalking and criminal defamation after he labeled President Bola Tinubu a “criminal” in an August 2025 social media post.

In August 2025, Sowore posts on X and Facebook, calling President Tinubu a “criminal” over statements made during a trip to Brazil.

He refuses DSS demands to delete the posts, citing free speech.

In May 2026, Justice Mohammed Umar rejects Sowore’s application to drop the charges. The judge rules that the DSS established a prima facie case, legally requiring Sowore to open his defense.

Earlier on June 5, following a judicial directive for daily trial hearings, Sowore’s legal team withdraws from the case.

Citing the “humiliation” his lawyers faced, Sowore opts to represent himself and files a motion accusing the judge of bias.

Meanwhile, on June 16, 2026, after Sowore fails to appear for a scheduled defense continuation, the prosecution labels it a “delay tactic”.

Justice Umar revokes his self-recognition bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

However, on June 22, 2026 (today), Justice Umar officially dismisses Sowore’s motion seeking his disqualification over alleged bias.
Following the arrest order, the court orders Sowore to be remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre.

The federal government’s case rests on provisions within Section 24 of the amended Cybercrimes Act, 2024.

The prosecution argues that Sowore’s online rhetoric was knowingly false and intentionally deployed to incite public disorder. Sowore maintains a plea of “not guilty”.

While the prosecution argued that Sowore’s recent absence from court was a deliberate obstruction, Sowore publicly countered that he had arrived at court for the previous scheduled sitting on June 15, only for the judge to be absent without notice.

Sowore had filed a formal letter informing the registry of his subsequent travel, which the court ultimately bypassed when issuing the arrest warrant the following day.

Proceedings are set to pick back up in mid-week as Sowore remains in custody.

Sowore reacts

Sowore tweeted on X after the judgement, saying, “Justice Mohammed Umar refused to recuse himself from presiding over my case and then ruled that I be remanded in custody, I addressed our Comrades on the solid need to remain resolute in pursuit of justice. There is no going back.”

In an accompanying video with the tweet, Sowore addressed journalists, saying that the prosecution had urged the court to ensure he remained in detention until Wednesday.

According to Sowore, the decision did not come as a surprise, as he had anticipated the outcome and was prepared for it. He maintained that his ordeal was part of a broader struggle to secure the country’s liberation.

“The court was told by the prosecutors that they must insist on sending me to jail until Wednesday. But guess what? I brought my prison bag. And I told the judge that said he cannot recuse himself that when they are ready, I am ready.

“I have predicted before now that all these things are going to happen. But they are happening for a good reason. And the reason is that somebody must make the sacrifice that will liberate this country,” he said.

The activist also reflected on his years of advocacy, describing himself as someone who has consistently challenged injustice and abuse of power. He argued that his commitment to social justice has remained unwavering and insisted that the struggle for change would ultimately prevail.

“I feel privileged that I am the one who has stood the test of time against the impunity of our leaders. Some of them pretended that they were democrats in 1993. In 2026, we discovered that they are monsters, and I am referring to Tinubu.

“And I am insisting once again, because I was brought here by Buhari in 2019, I said then and I repeat again that nobody can defeat the revolution. And shame, sorrow, tears will visit the families of the people who do injustice to people who fight for social justice,” Sowore stated. (Punch)

With the successful conclusion of the Enugu North Senatorial District by-election, the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ENSSAA) has announced plans to commence a statewide enforcement exercise against unauthorized outdoor advertisements across the state.

The Agency said the operation would target illegally displayed posters, billboards, political campaign materials, banners, and other outdoor advertisements erected without the approval and requisite permits of ENSSAA.

In a statement issued on Monday by the General Manager of the Agency, Mr. Francis Aninwike, ENSSAA said the enforcement exercise would be carried out across Enugu metropolis and all the local government areas of the state in accordance with the provisions of the ENSSAA Law 2016, which regulates outdoor advertising and signage in Enugu State.

Aninwike explained that the Agency deliberately suspended the enforcement exercise in recent weeks to allow the Enugu North Senatorial District by-election to be concluded and to avoid giving political coloration to what is essentially a long-overdue regulatory exercise aimed at restoring order, sanity, and environmental aesthetics within the state’s outdoor advertising space.

He stressed that no individual, political party, candidate, organization, or business is permitted to erect, display, or paste advertisements, including political campaign materials, without first obtaining the approval of the Agency.

According to him, political parties, candidates, and other stakeholders are advised to immediately regularize their advertisements and obtain the necessary permits before displaying campaign materials or other outdoor advertisements in any part of the state.

The General Manager noted that the proliferation of unauthorized advertisements constitutes a violation of the law, contributes to visual pollution, defaces public infrastructure, and undermines the beauty of the environment.

He emphasized that the enforcement exercise is neither targeted at any individual nor directed against any political group.

“This enforcement exercise is not targeted at any individual or political group. It is a routine regulatory action aimed at ensuring compliance with the law and maintaining a clean, orderly, and aesthetically pleasing environment across the state,” Aninwike stated.

To ensure a smooth and peaceful operation, ENSSAA said it has secured armed police escorts for its enforcement teams. The exercise will be conducted daily between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

The Agency urged members of the public to comply with extant regulations and refrain from obstructing officials carrying out their lawful duties.

Aninwike reiterated ENSSAA’s commitment to sanitizing the outdoor advertising sector, enforcing compliance with relevant laws, and ensuring that outdoor advertisements across Enugu State conform to approved standards.

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resign from office, accusing his administration of failing to address the country’s worsening economic challenges, rising insecurity, and declining living standards.

Obi made the call in a strongly-worded statement posted on his official X account on Monday, where he argued that the current administration has fallen short of the promises it made to Nigerians during the 2023 election campaign.

The former Anambra State governor said his position was influenced by recent political developments in the United Kingdom, particularly the resignation announcement by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

According to Obi, Starmer’s decision demonstrates the level of accountability expected from leaders in functioning democracies when governments fail to meet the expectations of the people.

Reflecting on global political systems, Obi said he closely follows developments around the world to understand why some nations continue to progress while others struggle with governance and development.

“As a keen observer of global politics, my primary interest lies in examining what successful nations do right and the structural factors that cause others to lag or struggle with governance and development,” he stated.

Obi noted that Starmer’s resignation came amid growing public dissatisfaction over economic difficulties, rising living costs, and concerns about unmet policy commitments.

He argued that democratic leaders must be willing to accept responsibility when their administrations fail to deliver on key promises.

Drawing parallels with Nigeria’s political history, Obi recalled that Tinubu had previously demanded the resignation of former President Goodluck Jonathan during the height of the security crisis that followed the abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok.

According to Obi, Tinubu had at the time maintained that government must be held accountable when it fails in its primary duty of protecting citizens and safeguarding lives.

“During the Chibok school kidnapping incident, he demanded the immediate resignation of President Jonathan, arguing that the government had failed in its most fundamental duty of protecting lives,” Obi said.

The former presidential candidate argued that the same standard of accountability should now be applied to Tinubu’s administration, given what he described as worsening national conditions.

Obi also revisited some of the major promises made by Tinubu during the 2023 election campaign, including commitments to improve electricity supply, strengthen security, fight corruption, and enhance the welfare of Nigerians.

According to him, Nigerians were assured that meaningful reforms would be implemented to improve living conditions and stimulate economic growth.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made several promises, including improved electricity supply. He also challenged the electorate not to vote for him for a second term if he failed to deliver on those commitments,” Obi said.

However, he maintained that the current reality paints a different picture, insisting that many Nigerians are facing greater hardship than before.

Obi lamented the persistent challenges in the power sector, noting that electricity supply remains unstable despite repeated assurances of improvement. He also pointed to the continued wave of kidnappings, violent attacks, and insecurity affecting several parts of the country.

“At present, however, these conditions have worsened. Electricity supply remains unreliable, insecurity has intensified in many areas, including kidnappings, and economic hardship has deepened rather than eased,” he stated.

The Labour Party stalwart further alleged that critical sectors of the economy have continued to struggle under the current administration. He cited concerns over infrastructure development, transportation, public service delivery, and anti-corruption efforts, which he said have failed to meet public expectations.

According to Obi, the worsening socio-economic conditions have left many Nigerians disillusioned and frustrated, with millions battling rising costs of living and declining purchasing power.

Based on these concerns, he said the President should consider stepping down in the interest of democratic accountability and national progress.

“I, therefore, join Nigerians of goodwill in calling for the resignation of the President over monumental failure in governance,” Obi declared.

He stressed that resignation should not be viewed as an act of weakness or defeat but rather as a demonstration of responsibility and respect for democratic principles.

Obi added that such a decision would help strengthen Nigeria’s democratic culture by reinforcing the idea that leaders must be held accountable for their actions, promises, and overall performance while in office.